We are reaching the business end of the Championship season, with 39 games played at the time of writing. The Championship promotion odds have shifted significantly since August, and four sides in particular have given their supporters genuine reason for optimism after difficult campaigns last time around. Here is a look at the teams who have improved the most.
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Coventry City: From fifth To first
Coventry finished fifth last season and have come agonisingly close to promotion twice in recent years, losing in a penalty shootout to Luton Town in the play-off final in 2023 before suffering a 3-2 defeat on aggregate against Sunderland in the semi-finals last year.
The improvement this term has been remarkable in every sense. From 69 points and a goal difference of +6 last season, they now sit top of the Championship with 80 points and a goal difference of +41, having scored 81 goals in 39 games. The defensive transformation is equally eye-catching, with just 40 goals conceded compared to 58 last season.
Much of the credit belongs to Frank Lampard, who inherited a side that had begun to stagnate and turned them into genuine title contenders. Brandon Thomas-Asante has led the line with purpose, contributing 12 goals from the front, and the collective shift in defensive organisation has been stark. Coventry have not just improved, they have arguably become the most complete team in the division.
Middlesbrough: Stability Through Turbulence
The story at Middlesbrough this season is as much about resilience as improvement. After finishing 10th last season under Michael Carrick, who departed in the summer, Boro have bounced back impressively to sit second in the table with 71 points and a goal difference of plus 22, a significant shift from +8 last term.
The season has not been straightforward in the dugout. Rob Edwards made a bright start, winning the first four fixtures of the campaign and taking the Manager of the Month award in August, before leaving for Wolverhampton Wanderers in November with the team still sitting second.
Swedish coach Kim Hellberg was appointed as his replacement and hit the ground running, winning the Manager of the Month award in January after an outstanding run of 15 points from six games. For a club that has changed manager mid-season, maintaining a promotion push is a real achievement.
Hull City: Climbing From The Brink
Hull’s transformation from 21st last season to fifth this term is arguably the most dramatic story in the division. A goal difference of -10 and 49 points in 2024/25 told the story of a side fighting to stay in the league. Now they sit in the play-off places with 66 points and a goal difference of +5.
New head coach Sergej Jakirovic has been central to the turnaround, building a side with genuine cutting edge. Joe Gelhardt and Oliver McBurnie have both scored 13 goals this season, giving Hull an attacking potency they lacked last term.
The goals-scored column has improved from 44 to 62, which tells the story better than anything else. If Jakirovic can tighten things at the back as the run-in approaches, Hull will be a dangerous play-off proposition.
Derby County: Eustace Rebuilds At Pride Park
Derby’s improvement has been steady rather than spectacular, but no less impressive for it. From 50 points and a goal difference of -8 in 19th last season, John Eustace’s side have climbed to eighth with 60 points and a positive goal difference of +9. They are firmly in the play-off conversation with nine games remaining, at the time of writing.
For those browsing the Championship betting odds, Derby represent one of the more intriguing plays in the market. Eustace made a poor start to the campaign, winning just once in his first 10 league games, but the upturn in form since then has been sustained and convincing.
Carlton Morris has been a key contributor in attack, and with Patrick Agyemang catching the eye too, Derby have the firepower to upset the established order in the play-offs should they make it there. Given where they started the season, that alone would be a significant achievement.
Disclaimer: The above references an opinion of the author and is for information purposes only. Never gamble for more than you can afford to lose. Gambling can lead to a serious addiction. Gamble responsibly.
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